Zero tolerance schools and slant techniques for send - good, okay or terrible

[Zerotolerancetofun]

Dd is starting secondary next year. The school has a zero tolerance behaviour policy so very strict about everything (uniform, homework, behaviour etc). They are also bringing in this new teaching technique called slant that the kids are meant to follow - about how they sit/pay attention/look at the teachers - it sounds very Draconian.

Dd has ASD and significant levels of anxiety and I am concerned how this environment will work for her. I think she will be terrified of making a mistake and getting detention for minor mistakes, but of course if this approach stops bullying etc then that is a good thing for her.

I'd love to know how other people's DC have got on with this type of school. Particularly if they have ASD, but also NT children too.

So I’m not allowed to advocate on my child because some parents are fine with it? The school in question actively looks for things to catch children out on. It’s not a nice environment. And I’m allowed to say that.

I’ve had employers like that myself, when it became clear that nothing was going to change I found another job, with a pay rise, handed in my notice and told them exactly why in my exit interview. Luckily I had a variety of unconnected organisations in my area to choose from. I’m now with a much better employer. Families in areas that have been lumbered with Scrotemax MAT or what ever don’t have that luxury.

I noticed your dig implying that I was in a low skilled job. I’m actually a professional and am handsomely rewarded for what I do.

You are. I’ve felt similar once about a previous primary school so I took real action and removed my child. The issues were systemic, I haven’t got time to be whinging about things such as uniform. I quickly changed my child’s environment and moved forward.

The secondary choices I have are:

The really bloody brilliant LEA school (I posted about this one previously) which is so oversubscribed that I couldn’t get my kid into it, I keep checking in to see if any spaces have come up but they haven’t.

The current Academy that my young ‘un is in, another secondary school in the same MAT which is run in the same way.

There is a recently opened academy, ran by someone that self styles themselves as my city’s strictest head teacher (vom), but only has year 7 and 8, mine is year 9.

What choices do I have? I’m not the only one that feels like this. We’ve literally had academies foisted on us (like everyone else in England).

I just watched the documentary and think it seems like a great school. Not inclusive of all, by any means, but I wouldn't call it discriminatory because it will be a full range of children that it suits and doesn't suit. Some children with AN would love it and thrive there, others would not be able to cope and would hate it. Some children without AN would love it and thrive there and others would not be able to cope and would hate it. The key thing is choice in state education, just like parents in private education have. I work in a private prep school and had never experienced private education before. I went to a decidely below average comprehensive. I was astounded by early conversations with parents about which senior school 'suited' their child and what the right 'match' for their child would be. I'd only ever experienced, 'this is your catchment secondary, everyone goes to it'. I thought it was ridiculous to put so much time and effort into choosing between characteristics of individual schools. But now it's natural to me and I think all parents deserve that choice. Michaela style schools should be available to those who want them and they shouldn't have to be apologetic about not suiting every child. But only if other types of school are also available to all children as a choice. And it doesn't sound like that's the case.

I would have adored a school like Michaela. I was bullied for doing well in lessons and eventually stopped putting my hand up and joining in because it just caused trouble for me. Even Slant would have been a good thing for me because, although I was not disruptive, I find active listening very hard and end up in fairy tale la la land in 2 minutes flat given half a chance. Watching someone's face and giving visible indiciations that I'm listening helps me stay present in a conversation and be able to learn.

The funny thing CryHavok is that I have two children with asd for whom I have advocated for the last twenty odd years. In all that time I can only think of one time I complained and that was nothing to do with a sanction. I don't know enough about SLANT to have an opinion on this but I do know that many kids' education is blighted by the poor behaviour of others. I know that there are many kids whose parents are themselves aggressive and confrontational. They turn up at schools shouting or ring up swearing. They often sound very like you. They think they are standing up for their kids but are often actually harming their kids through inadequate parenting.

Well, you would be wrong. I’m very courteous. But I don’t allow myself to be fobbed off.

However, the modern snowflake HT often takes this as being abusive, so as everyone at my son’s school is aware, I record all my phone calls and everything is backed up by email.

Thought so. No surprises there.

Thought what? Lol

what is the point of you going on and on like this. I am telling you what happens in the academies I have connections with.

I know what happens, and you clearly don't and no, no head "gets handed their asses", quite the reverse. On the occasions when legal action has been attempted, courts have backed the school up entirely.

But you just carry on believing in your won little fantasy. I totally dont care what you believe, why should I? You are broadcasting total misinformation on here though, so maybe you need to consider how unfair you are being to other MNnners, , by doing that

But you are not being " in your child's corner" though @CryHavok

No one is going to be harmed or distressed by your attitude EXCEPT your child

No one is going to be long term disadvantaged, or suffer poorer educational outcomes because of your attitude EXCEPT your child.

And they wont be thanking you for it, at all, over the next 5 decades

@CryHavok

Personally I would move (I have done this) rather than aggressively pursue a head teacher over everything and anything . You are coming across as a bit unhinged to be honest.

depends on how straight and how rigidly you are required to sit up.... hours of sitting in the classroom rigidly upright hurst your back

again, I am no againstt slant, just aware it can be taken to extremes

My parents used to play war with my school and I’m a highly successful adult..

@CryHavok

”play war”. Goodness. Your parents were highly reactive and now you are. I suspect your children will also make mountains out of molehills. Good grief, it literally is just a sport to some people.

@ItsMeAgainYesHowDidYouGuess2

Lacks awareness and doesn’t at all sound very emotionally intelligent.

I think you know your DD and how she may respond. My son is not diagnosed but has ASD traits ADHD is ADHD. He is very very anxious and he gets really upset when other people are told off. He got one detention in Year 7 because he forgot to bring a drama 'contract' in and he was petrified. However, I think it was only that one teacher who was a bit like that.

It's hard to say whether a school like this will have more or less 'telling off' than any other school. It may actually enforce better behavior and a calmer environment. My younger DC go to a different school and some of the kids' behavior is awful. Sad to say, much of it is really about the type of kids who go to the school and often depends on their parents' attitude to learning. My younger DC school is rough but the teachers and teaching is excellent. I don't know if they do this slant thing but I can see that my DS1 would have struggled there if the teachers were not in control and were basically being bullied by the kids (this happens!).

Not at all, it was common for the area I grew up in. Parents didn’t take shit from schools. But I have a great job and most of my classmates have done well for themselves too so it must work.

@CryHavok

I must say, you’re very judgemental about all of these supposedly “Mumsnet area schools”. I grew up on a council estate and went to my local comp. My mum made sure we were all okay but she had better things to do with her time than nit pick at the school over very minor issues. She was too busy working herself for a start. You sound highly reactive and that’s got nothing to do “not taking any shit”.

*nothing to do with

I can make time for things that I need to do. Why does people sticking up for themselves bother you so much?

Why are you so obsessed with 'not taking any shit' and 'sticking up for my kids'?
Not to mention being so daft that you tape conversations! Very, very strange.

Teaching staff try and claim you’re being aggressive for asking reasonable questions, they sharp stopped doing that when they realised I could play the conversation back to them.